Welcome to HVAC-Talk.com, a non-DIY site and the ultimate Source for HVAC Information & Knowledge Sharing for the industry professional! Here you can join over 150,000 HVAC Professionals & enthusiasts from around the world discussing all things related to HVAC/R. You are currently viewing as a NON-REGISTERED guest which gives you limited access to view discussions

To gain full access to our forums you must register; for a free account. As a registered Guest you will be able to:

Participate in over 40 different forums and search/browse from nearly 3 million posts.

High head pressure has me worried!

Changed evap coil on 30 year old 5 ton commercial split yesterday. Temperatures were extreme here in St. Louis to say the least, but 375# head pressure has me worried. Any feed back would be appreciated, all data listed below.

Condensing temp 40 degrees over ambient along with 37 superheat,which is way too high(actual target 25). Looks like that condensor needs a good cleaning,split the coils if it's double row. Probably needs more gas too once it's cleaned up good.

Had one thursday doing the same thing. Was thinking overcharged with restriction at first but then saw double coils. Had already washed them but needed to split, was a blanket of crap between not coming out. Once clean it took 38 oz,head ran 290 with superheat within 1 degree of target.

The superheat table I have in front of me (generic) calls for target superheat of 37deg with oat of 110deg, indoor wb temp of 80deg and indoor db of 95deg. condenser split is 32deg, 142-110. I'm just worried I might have noncondensibles since I opend the system up. Will go back monday on more normal conditions and reexamine.

Tough when it's 110 Oat. ouch. On a 30 year old unit you have a relatively small condensor coil so you get higher temp splits across the condensor. Your liq line temp should be around what.... 10-15 degrees over the oat max? Much higher and you have a dirty condensor/undercharged. Is there a pressure tap on the compressor discharge so you can pump down and check for non condensibles?

The outdoor unit has king valves, so yes it can be pumped down. I did not measure liquid line temps but it was smokin hot and is exposed to direct sun on the roof. Coils dont look too dirty, but cleaning may be beneficial. Didn't think undercharged with 50deg sattemp and 84deg slt.

Thanks for your input. We've had 10 straight days of 100deg plus with 0 rain, setting records that go back to dustbowl days of the 30's. It is killing equipment, people, and wearing out techs. I think more normal temps may give a better representation of equipment health. Not looking forward to putting a 5 ton condenser on the roof of a 2 story builing if/when it does expire.

Thanks Thermojohn, at the end of a long hot day I neglected to measure ll temps, was hastily trying to get system running. Will revisit monday and post up to date info, everything seemed ok but high head. Are those numbers too far off track for the conditions at hand, if so, what should I look for???

Thanks Thermojohn, at the end of a long hot day I neglected to measure ll temps, was hastily trying to get system running. Will revisit monday and post up to date info, everything seemed ok but high head. Are those numbers too far off track for the conditions at hand, if so, what should I look for???

375psi for R-22 is going to be a little rough on a compressor and is not close to what I like to leave - even for a weekend. Next thing to determine is your subcooling to define why your head is so out of kilter.

Your high head most likely is going to be one of the three things I posted earlier.